Wane: Me and Keiron want to go on holiday together

Phil Wilkinson

Talk of derby hostilities have been defused - by the revelation that Keiron Cunningham and Shaun Wane are planning on going on holiday together!

The bizarre development in relations between bitter Super League rivals Saints and Wigan came courtesy of Warriors boss Wane.

Speaking as Lance Hohaia’s war of words with St Helens has dredged up the controversy of the 2014 Grand Final, when Ben Flower was sent off for punching the Kiwi playmaker, Wane insists it has not stirred any bad blood between the two clubs ahead of Good Friday’s hotly-anticipated contest.

And while the Warriors boss is expecting a ferocious showdown on the pitch, he says the rivalry is healthy and laced with respect and friendship.

Speaking at his weekly media conference, he said: “It’s been made out there is spite between the two, but there is none really.

“Keiron’s a good mate of mate.

“We go for coffees, we’re on about going to Scotland - him shooting, I’ll take the dogs.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Keiron, he’s a good fella, he was a great player, and he’ll have them up for this game.”

Hohaia had claimed he received a lack of support from St Helens in early 2015, triggering a row between the two parties.

Wane is confident it will not seep into their preparations for Friday’s contest.

“We have a strong bubble and we only concern ourselves with what matters for us,” he said.

“That is the only concern, we don’t get dragged down by anything externally.”

Joel Tomkins is likely to play in his first game of the year, but there’s a doubt over England team-mate Liam Farrell, who is nursing a shoulder problem.